Statistics show that millions of workers suffer job-related injuries every year. In addition, thousands of employees are killed in fatal workplace accidents. Falls are among the most common workplace accidents, including falls from heights and ground-level slip and fall accidents. If you, your spouse, or a family member was injured after falling at work, or if a loved one was killed in a fatal workplace fall, the Bucks County Workers’ Compensation attorneys of Lerner, Steinberg & Associates can fight to recover financial benefits for you and your loved ones.
When you are represented by Lerner, Steinberg & Associates, you will have peace of mind knowing that your case is in capable hands. Our Workers’ Compensation lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience, and can help your family explore all of the legal options for pursuing benefits after a work-related fall. In addition to helping you file a Workers’ Compensation claim, or representing you in the appeals process if your claim has been denied, we can also determine whether you have a personal injury case. We will evaluate all possible methods by which to pursue compensation, with the goal of obtaining the maximum compensation as soon as possible.
If you or a loved one fell at work, compensation may be available through Workers’ Compensation benefits. To learn more about filing a Workers’ Compensation claim in Bucks County, call the law offices of Lerner, Steinberg & Associates at (215) 355-6400 for a free legal consultation today.
Work Fall Injury and Death Statistics
Despite being preventable, accidental falls are a major cause of death and injury in the United States, accounting for 31,959 fatalities in 2014 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Falls are common not only among the general population, but also America’s workforce. Whether they are slip and fall accidents at ground level, or accidental falls from heights to lower levels, job-related falls cause hundreds of thousands of injuries every year. According to the CDC and Bureau of Labor Statistics, a total of 261,930 workers missed at least one day of work due to fall injuries in 2014. The same statistics show that nearly 800 workers were killed by fatal falls.
Part of the reason falls are so common – and so dangerous – is that they can occur in virtually any type of industry or setting, regardless of a worker’s age, experience level, or occupation. Regardless of whether an employee works in an office, a factory, a restaurant, a hotel, a grocery store, a distribution center, or a different setting, various hazards and defects can lead to preventable slip and fall accidents at work, including:
- Broken, defective, or rotten flooring materials
- Crooked or uneven flooring materials
- Dim, insufficient lighting
- Ice and snow that have not been salted, shoveled, or otherwise removed properly
- Leaks and spills
- Loose, defective handrails and supports
- Unsecured wires, cords, and cables
While falls can kill or injure any type of employee, certain types of workers are at increased risk, notably construction workers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which analyzes workplace accidents, has identified accidental falls as one of the construction industry’s “Fatal Four” most common types of deadly accidents.
According to OSHA data on falls in the construction industry, falls were responsible for 364 out of 937 construction industry deaths in 2015: nearly 40% of all construction-related fatalities that year. As the CDC has noted, “The construction industry experienced the highest frequency of fall-related deaths [in 2014], while the highest counts of nonfatal fall injuries continue to be associated with the health services and the wholesale and retail industries.”
Workers’ Compensation Benefits for a Slip and Fall Accident on the Job
Accidental falls can cause disabling, catastrophic, or even fatal injuries, particularly among the individuals who make up Pennsylvania’s construction industry. Common injuries caused by accidental falls at work include:
- Back Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
- Paralysis
- Broken Bones (Bone Fractures)
- Broken Fingers and Toes
- Broken Neck Injuries
- Broken Nose Injuries
- Fractured Ankles
- Fractured Collarbones
- Fractured Wrists
- Pelvic Fractures (Broken Hips)
- Skull Fractures
- Head and Neck Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Concussions (Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, MTBI)
- Brain Hemorrhage
- Facial Scarring and Disfigurement
These injuries can generate huge medical expenses, while simultaneously preventing the victim from earning income. This type of situation places immense financial strain on an injured worker, especially if he or she was supporting a family or loved one before the accident. However, support and relief may be available in the form of Workers’ Compensation.
Workers’ Compensation, which is sometimes called “WC” or “Workers’ Compensation,” provides payments to:
- Injured workers who suffered nonfatal fall injuries
- The dependents of workers who were killed in fatal falls
The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation law, otherwise known as the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, requires employers to provide Workers’ Compensation benefits to most types of employees. Construction workers in Bucks County are generally covered, as are office workers, retail workers, hospital workers, food service workers, factory and warehouse workers, and many others.
Workers’ Compensation does not normally cover railroad workers, shipyard workers, domestic workers, agricultural laborers, or civilian employees of the federal government. However, other sources of financial compensation may be available for sick or injured employees who do not qualify for Workers’ Compensation in Pennsylvania.
Moreover, there are some cases in which it may be appropriate to file a personal injury lawsuit, such as cases where job-related fall injuries are caused by defective products, including defective ladders, ropes, safety harnesses, and flooring materials. In such instances, the manufacturers of defective products may be liable for injuries.
With decades of legal experience, the Bucks County work fall injury lawyers of Lerner, Steinberg & Associates command a detailed understanding of Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation and personal injury laws. We can examine the circumstances of your accident in depth, and pursue the legal strategy most likely to result in the recovery of maximum compensation for your injuries.
Bucks County Workers’ Compensation Lawyers for Workplace Fall Injuries
The Workers’ Compensation attorneys of Lerner, Steinberg & Associates are proud to represent the hard-working men and women who make Pennsylvania run. We handle fall-related work injury claims throughout Bucks County.
If you or a loved one fell at work in Bucks County, the work injury lawyers of Lerner, Steinberg & Associates can fight for to recover benefits for you. Workers’ Compensation can help pay for your medical treatment, compensate you for lost income, and more. For a free consultation contact our law offices right away at (215) 355-6400.
